Pillar 8
Government Schemes
India's government runs more than a dozen savings, insurance, and pension schemes: Public Provident Fund, Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, NPS, EPF, the Pradhan Mantri Bima schemes, and others. Each has different eligibility, returns, lock-in periods, and tax treatment. This section explains what each scheme actually is, who can use it, and how the mechanics work. These are research-led explainers, not recommendations.
11 articles
A pillar guide to India's government savings schemes, PPF, EPF, NPS, SSY, APY, SCSS, POMIS, NSC, KVP, SGB and PMJJBY/PMSBY, with current Q1 2026 rates, tax treatment, and where each fits.
12 min read
What is Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana? The 8.2% interest rate, eligibility (girl child below 10), 15-year contribution + 21-year maturity, partial withdrawal at 18, and EEE tax treatment explained with worked example.
9 min read
The Sovereign Gold Bond scheme closed to new subscription in February 2024, and from April 2026 only original subscribers holding to maturity stay tax-exempt.
14 min read
SCSS pays 8.2% for the Jul-Sep 2026 quarter, held since April 2023. The ₹30 lakh cap, quarterly payout, 5+3 year lock-in, 80C, and the new ₹1 lakh TDS rule.
13 min read
PPF pays 7.1% for Jul-Sep 2026, unchanged since 2020. See the Rs 500 to Rs 1.5 lakh limits, EEE tax, 15-year lock-in, withdrawal rules and a maturity example.
13 min read
Post Office Monthly Income Scheme (POMIS) pays 7.4% a year, credited monthly. A Rs 9 lakh deposit gives Rs 5,550 a month for 5 years. Payout table, limits and tax.
13 min read
PMJJBY vs PMSBY: Rs 436/yr for Rs 2 lakh life cover vs Rs 20/yr for Rs 2 lakh accident cover. Age limits, the 30-day lien, claims, and holding both for Rs 456.
14 min read
NSC pays 7.7% with an 80C tax break; KVP pays 7.5% and doubles your money in 115 months. Current Jul-Sep 2026 rates, tax, and a worked comparison.
12 min read
NPS entry now runs to age 85, and non-government exits need only 20% annuity since December 2025. What the new tax regime allows, and what it takes away.
17 min read
What is EPF? The 8.25% FY 2025-26 interest rate, the 12% + 12% contribution split, the new EPF Scheme 2026 withdrawal rules, and the tax treatment explained.
14 min read
Income tax payers cannot join APY since 1 October 2022, and having filed once counts. The contribution chart, the guarantee, and what the nominee gets.
16 min read